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SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake City police officer is recovering with minor injuries Saturday after a good Samaritan pulled him from a burning vehicle after a traffic accident.
The wreck happened just before 4 a.m. at 600 South and 200 West, according to Salt Lake City Police Lt. Bill Manzanares. An officer drove into the intersection and was struck by a "commercial-size" vehicle and knocked unconscious, Manzanares said.
"The officer's car actually caught on fire," he said. "There was an employee at the nearby Motel 6 that heard the accident, came out, and actually pulled our officer from the car."
Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown tweeted that he is "so grateful for the help of two brave citizens."
Our SLCPD officer is recovering with minor injuries. I am so grateful for the help of 2 brave citizens. @slcpd#brave#heroeshttps://t.co/zNK1fV51cJ
— Chief Mike Brown (@ChiefMikeBrown) January 9, 2021
The officer was transported to a local hospital; Manzanares said he spoke to the officer Saturday morning and he's "doing good" and expected to be released later in the morning. "It's very fortunate that he has as minor injuries as he does," he said.
Manzanares said the driver of the privately owned commercial truck was cooperative and stayed on scene, and impairment is not suspected.
He did not release the name of the officer or motel employee Saturday.
